Conditions History

“Follow this trail from the crest of the Kalalau valley through the Alakai Swamp to Kilohana Lookout
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Dogs
No Dogs

Features
Birding · Views · Wildlife

Overview

Start and end at spectacular viewpoints, make your way through the Alakai swamp on boardwalk and have an opportunity to see some endangered and endemic Hawaiian birds.

Need to Know

If it has been raining the first part of this trail is extremely slippery. Traveling through the swamp if the boardwalk is broken can also get you wet. I always bring a set of clothes to change into at the end of the route and a plastic bag to hold my muddy dirty shoes and clothes. The red dirt can stain your clothes.

Description

This trail starts at the Puu O Kila Lookout and skirts the rim of the Kalalau Valley with spectacular viewpoints along the way. If has been raining, this part of the trail will be slippery.

Once you reach the Pihea lookout, the trail moves away from the rim. Keep an eye out, because it's along this section to the intersection of the Alakai Swamp Trail that you'll have an opportunity to view some endangered Hawaiian birds.

After reaching the trail intersection, head towards the Kilohana lookout and make your way through the Alakai swamp. There will be boardwalk during sections of this trail.

Upon reaching the Kilohana viewpoint, you are presented with a view of Hanalei bay and the surrounding area. If its foggy, wait. The fog comes and goes so you may still see the view.

Flora & Fauna

Chance to see Akeke'e and endangered greenish-yellow honeycreeper.

History & Background

The telephone poles you see along the way were placed by the army during World War 2.

Comment Type:

Other than the first mile, this is not a route for those who want to actually run. ~70% boardwalk, with the majority of that rotten/broken planks. Views of the valley on the first mile are spectacular. Next three miles are swamp (with a very rare view) until the gorgeous view at the turnaround.
Thumbs up as a hike. Thumbs down as a trail run.
Sep 30, 2017